Page 18 of Diem

With my focus on Patrick and Diem, I backtracked into a fucking bush and pinwheeled my arms.

This did nothing but entrench me farther into the thorny leaves and I was crawling my way out when Diem growled above me, “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Um,” I said dumbly as he grabbed my arm and pulled me none too gently from the bush.

My arms stung from the brambles, and I brushed myself off, ignoring the fact that I was alone with him because usually, wherever he was Ollie or Ramsay were not far behind.

This was a rare treat despite the circumstances.

Abruptly Diem said, his sexy jaw clenching, “Are you okay?”

Nodding, I looked away, ignoring my flaming cheeks. Once again, I had made a complete fool of myself.

“Are you sure?”

Glancing into his dark eyes, I slowly shook my head, warmth suffusing my chest. It had been a long time since Diem showed concern for me. Now he was a big bad Sinner with no time for me or the friendship from our past.

Seeing it now was bewildering but exhilarating and the feelings that surged through me were painful but sweet.

“Fuck!” he muttered, spinning away, and leaning his head against the wall. Now that he had effectively hidden his expression, I turned away from him.

I sensed he wouldn’t be pleased about the display of emotion later.

∞∞∞

Monday morning was spent puking into a toilet and bemoaning the evils of alcohol. I was so sick; it was easy to push thoughts of the scary dude out of my head.

Now, I’ve managed to convince myself it doesn’t matter. He may have known my name, but what is he going to do? Track me down? No, whatever Diem’s done, he can deal with it.

That night after I eavesdropped on things I shouldn’t have; Diem brought me to Ramsay’s. I hid out in his room awaiting what I knew would be a stern lecture from my brother.

Except when he never came, I searched him out to get it over with. I never found Ollie, but Diem was sitting in the media room.

What commenced was a night I can never forget. It was wonderful what we shared but, in the aftermath, horrible how he cast me aside.

And what about Patrick who I naively assumed moved away? What can I do? Nothing, because they’re my family even if they are assholes.

Doesn't mean I’m not curious why a psycho with pretty eyes is looking for Patrick but I know better than to ask.I’m not interested in another burn.

Since I spent the morning puking my guts out, I pull on the first pair of jeans and shirt I can find, only realizing when I step beyond the doors at school that it’s not my typical attire.

Shit. I’ve shed the clothes I hid behind. What will the assholes say?

Unfortunately, revealing my lack of curves isn’t going to change the vitriol, just the tenor of the words. I can never please these jerks. Why bother?

You wouldn’t think wearing painted on jeans and a tight top would matter but as soon as I cross the threshold, the first few stares feel like a sting of angry bees on my back.

The next few are accompanied by lewd comments that stiffen my spine.

When Hailey steps in front of me, I stop and wait, knowing what’s coming even though I dread the words.

“Look at you. How cute. What’s that saying about pigs and lipstick?” she says, looking me up and down.

Her dark hair is perfectly curled, her pretty pink lips curved in a vicious smile. She’s beautiful but as deadly as a viper.

When I was six, she pushed me off the monkey bars. When I was seven, she tackled me to the ground and made me eat dirt—literally. This was followed by years of abuse that never waned, only grew worse. During a sixth-grade dance, she had Tommy Bowers ask me to dance and then ripped my dress from my legs, baring my underwear to all of our peers.

On my fourteenth birthday, I started my period during school, staining my clothes in a humiliating rite of passage.

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